Australia: Government Likely to Announce Significant Cuts to Immigration Intake

As reported in the Herald Sun, Immigration Minister Chris Evans stated that the global economic crisis is greatly reducing Australia’s need to import foreign workers. Less than 12 months ago Australia was struggling with a skills shortage, but now the country’s unemployment rate is on track to hit 7 % in 2010. A final decision on the 2008-09 immigration intake will be made by Cabinet ahead of the May Budget.